[The necessity of independent clinical trials from the perspective of the Institute of Quality and Efficiency in Health Care].

Abstract

The results of clinical, preferably randomized controlled trials (RCTs) form the backbone of drug approval decisions and benefit assessments of medical interventions. Whereas drug approval studies often answer at least some of the relevant questions posed in a benefit assessment, the situation is totally different for non-drug treatments and diagnostic tests, as the requirements for market entry are not as high in these fields. Overall it must be concluded that in the past and up to the present time there have been insufficient (financial) incentives for manufacturers or providers of medical interventions to conduct clinical trials concerning patient-relevant benefits both in the field of drugs and particularly in non-drug interventions. This has led to a lack of studies that, in an appropriate comparison with sufficient certainty of results, provide data on the patient-relevant benefits or added benefits of a medical intervention. In this context, it is secondary whether these are 'independent' studies, the more so as 'dependencies' can never be excluded and can become especially problematic in cases where they are not easily recognized by declaration of sponsorship. The Institute of Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) is willing to promote the creation of appropriate funding opportunities for important study projects of clinical research groups fulfilling the criteria for a high-quality patient-oriented clinical trial on a relevant research question, and is currently doing so together with interested parties.